‘A Filipino first, and a Chinese second’

Oscar Franklin Tan 12/03/2018

I live a curious double life: foreigners see me as Filipino, but Filipinos see me as Chinese. I often confuse Singapore’s taxi drivers. Chatty ones invariably ask where I am from. “Philippines” draws a sincere “…huh?” Followed…

Bizarre SC argument: Is LGBT a religion?

Oscar Franklin Tan 06/18/2018

My simple joy is telling students they can be whatever they dream. One mentee dreams of being Apple’s CEO. I forwarded his e-mail to tech bosses who gamely invited him to their offices. One wants to be…

Rappler’s ‘Chinese’ count and casual racism

Oscar Franklin Tan 06/11/2018

My first trip abroad at age 10 was one of my happiest and most bitter childhood experiences. I took in every detail of Hong Kong’s unfamiliar, crowded streets and my first Star Ferry ride across Victoria Harbour.…

Are Calida’s security contracts legal?

Oscar Franklin Tan 06/04/2018

The most accurate legal response on the government contracts of Solicitor General Jose Calida’s security agency was the first, by new Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra. He opined that these are legal, assuming public bidding rules were followed.…

How Sen. Tito Sotto became my textmate

Oscar Franklin Tan 05/28/2018

I have ridiculed Senate President Tito Sotto since 1992. He is staunchly against my causes: removing cyberlibel criminal penalties, reproductive health rights and LGBT equality. Thus, a single meaningful conversation weighed more than making fun of him…

Ed Angara: The Lee Kuan Yew we never had

Oscar Franklin Tan 05/21/2018

Former Senate president Edgardo Angara’s life was not only celebrated by presidents and senators of every political leaning. It was even more touching to see a diversity of students and former staffers voice admiration on social media.…

The Infinity Gauntlet in Sereno decision

Oscar Franklin Tan 05/14/2018

The most shocking plot twist in the quo warranto case is not how our Supreme Court voted 8-6 to “oust” Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno. It is how three dissenters voiced universe-shattering criticism of her integrity. Acting…

Justice Perlas Bernabe’s swing vote

Oscar Franklin Tan 05/07/2018

Low-key Justice Estela Perlas Bernabe is our US Justice Anthony Kennedy. His swing vote is so crucial it legalized same-sex marriage. A New York Times editorial begged him not to retire, lest President Donald Trump appoint an…

Bar exams vs artificial intelligence

Oscar Franklin Tan 04/30/2018

The University of the Philippines College of Law’s foyer trumpets “teaching law in a grand manner,” not “being the best review center for a glorified pass/fail exam.” The difference is critical for law students training for the…

I have a tape of the Chief Justice lying

Oscar Franklin Tan 04/23/2018

I listened to Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno misrepresent a regulation in the Supreme Court hearing last April 10. It still unnerves me, two weeks later. It unnerves me even more that our entire country ignores it…

The trial of Saint Sereno

Oscar Franklin Tan 04/16/2018

Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno stated last March 19 that Acting Chief Justice Antonio Carpio failed to submit his SALNs (statements of assets, liabilities and net worth) to the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC). Carpio never said…

Why law school is like Hogwarts

Oscar Franklin Tan 10/30/2017

QUEDLINBURG, Germany — I still reflexively stand up when my old professor Vicente V. Mendoza texts. Yes, the law professor of law professors, justice of justices and legal legend of legal legends fact checks my column. Justice…

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